So here is the thing, half of the Jewish families that we know are headed by a couple where one of them is not Jewish. And we think eureka! That is great! Why isn’t there a blessing for that person who is not Jewish but participating in a Jewish home/life! And… there is! And we love it and hope you do too!

First line: May everyone who shares in a Jewish life feel welcome and integrated. Last line: With all our hearts, we want to thank you for your love and willingness in giving the ultimate gift to the Jewish people. Amen…

David Gregory from CNN, NBC, MSNBC, etc. wrote a book called How’s Your Faith? where he writes about finding his. Gregory’s wife, Beth, is not Jewish, but they are raising their kids as Jews. Anyway, the point of all this is that this relevant blessing is in his book and you are gonna love it!

First line: Many of you have made the historic and unprecedented decision to raise Jewish children. Last line: Your presence here makes us stronger and wiser…

“Love will play no games because love knows life has been hard enough already…” This is a nice reading for those with 3+ years on Tinder.

First line: Love will come and when love comes, love will hold you. Last line: Love will play no games cause love knows life has been hard enough already.

Wow. Perfect for when your priorities are a mess. And whose aren’t?

First line: Most importantly love like it’s the only thing you know how. Last line: How you touched the people around you and how much you gave them…

Poet Sandra Sturtz Hauss captures what so many of us parents wish for our children. Yes, even when our children are acting awful, and they all do, (because why should they be any different than us)… we still want them to feel love.

First line: May a kind word, reassuring touch, and a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them. Last line: May you always feel loved… 

This reading is so sweet. The idea that we make each other better and sometimes more whole. Love it.

First line: Each lifetime is the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Last line: And when you present your piece which is worthless to you, to another, whether you know it or not, whether they know it or not, you are a messenger from the most high…

So much of Jewish practice revolves around having a strong, loving community. So, we decided we needed to have a blessing for our friends and community. If you think the part asking people to hold hands won’t fly with your group, just edit out the second line. But you should push yourself to leave it in. People love that stuff.

First line: Here with you our friends, we feel so greatly blessed. Last line: May we always remember the exquisite value of friendship and community and be good friends in return. Amen…

Because this love poem references waves and tides, one might think it’s too sappy and we almost passed over it. But we didn’t.

First line: To love is not to possess, to own or imprison, nor to lose one’s self in another. Last line: In the very core of their being where true and lasting love can alone abide…

Yup… this reading, in a crucial way, is the reason for JewBelong. It gives us permission, actually even urges us to do our Judaism at home, our way. Go forth and do it!

First line: The center of Judaism is in the home. Last line: A Jewish home is where Judaism is at home, where Jewish learning, commitment, sensitivity to values are cultivated and cherished…

TBH, this is not our favorite Maya Angelou. But it might be yours?

First line: We, unaccustomed to courage, exiles from delight live coiled in shells of loneliness until love leaves its high holy temple and comes into our sight to liberate us into life. Last line: In the flush of love’s light, we dare be brave and suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free…

The reason we put this reading in Shabbat as well as in Wedding is because at a wedding, it’s actually rather easy to think about love. The whole ceremony is about love. But, if a couple says this to one another on just a regular Shabbat, maybe that is when it’s actually more important. Anyway, no matter when you read it, it’s beautiful.

First line: The key to love is understanding… Last line: And that is the key to love…